The fire reportedly broke out at around 6:30 pm on a hill in Aarey Colony, near Infinity IT Park in Goregaon East area, which is in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park precinct.

Mumbai: A massive fire broke out on a hill at Mumbai's Aarey Colony area near Goregaon East on Monday evening. The Mumbai Fire Brigade declared the blaze to be of Level 2 on Monday evening. The fire is said to have broken out at around 6:30 pm near Infinity IT Park in Goregaon East area, Mirror Now reported. 10 firefighting engines, seven JTs and three Quick Response Vehicles were rushed to the spot in a bid to douse the huge blaze.

An official told news agency PTI that several agencies, including the police and forest department, were informed about the fire. The place where the fire broke out is an open plot close to Arun Kumar Vaidya Marg in Goregaon, which is near the Aarey Milk Colony, the largest green lung in the city.

There have been no reports of casualties or injuries, so far. The cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained.

The fire was spotted on one of the forested hills in Habalpada, near Film City and spread to approximately four km area in a short span of time, news agency ANI reported. The area is in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) precinct. The massive fire was visible from long distances, including the Western Express Highway.

The Disaster Management Control Room has been asked to inform all police stations surrounding the forest to be ready to evacuate tribal residents and cattle in the area, if the need arises, Chief Fire Officer Prabhat Rahangdale told news agency PTI. "Fire personnel are trying to put out flames with 'beaters' the branches of trees that are being used to create a fire break, as they have no access to fire appliances," the officer added.

He also said that the fire had started spreading towards residential areas such as New Mhada Colony near Dindoshi Green Hill Society in Goregaon (East) as night approached. "Until 7.30 pm, the blaze remained confined to trees, dry leaves etc. within a distance of 3-4 km from the spot of fire. However, in the night it started moving towards the residential localities," he told PTI.

Fire vehicles faced troubles in entering the forested area of Aarey Colony due to lack of access. Aarey Milk Colony is spread over 16 square km and comprises 12 villages. "However, we have managed to put two small hose lines into operation. Fire brigade has also roped in forest staff and volunteers to put out the flames using tree branches," Rahangdale said.

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